This file appears courtesy of The Vancouver Province
The Province
Friday, 17 October 1997
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News - Letter
X-Filer precipitates flood of letters
X-Files co-star David Duchovny first claimed he wants the popular
TV series to be shot in Los Angeles instead of Vancouver so he can
be close to his new wife, actress Tea Leoni. Then he blurted out
the real reason -- he hates our wet climate. Here's a sampling of
our readers' response to the story:
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Not a mention of David Duchovny's appearance on Letterman earlier
this week! David Letterman said that he would "do his show from
Vancouver" if the X-Files left.
Why is this front-page news?
Ron Appleton
Vancouver
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Ship his ass out of here. He's not that good an actor anyway.
David L. Stanley
Langley
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I just can't understand what all the fuss is about.
Here we are, talking about a guy who hasn't lived in Vancouver
very long, is a newlywed, is a U.S. citizen, and has no ties to
this city other than his work. Who can blame him for wanting to
leave?
People who have lived elsewhere have the difficult task of
describing Vancouver without mentioning the continuous rain.
Duchovny said several times in his interview that he thinks
Vancouver is a lovely city, so give him a break.
On Dave Letterman's show the night before, Letterman mentioned how
much he loved Vancouver, and that if David Duchovny insisted on
leaving here, Letterman would be forced to move his show to
Vancouver. This was also a funny remark. People, it's called
COMEDY -- lighten up.
Veronica Canete
Burnaby
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Get rid of Duchovny now!!!
Anyone who puts down a city as beautiful as Vancouver deserves to
be kicked out!
Exile the arrogant traitor, don't even give him the chance to pack
his bags! He is the epitome of selfishness.
What about the hundreds of people affected by the relocation of
the X-files? They have spouses and families too.
Ellen Ashdown
Maureen Cowan
Natasha Geisslee
Vancouver
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So -- the truth is out there. Imagine finding it in New York City,
of all places!
Do you suppose David is really an alien who will melt away if a
drop of rain falls on him?
I saw a movie about that once. Just as the aliens were about to
take over the world, it began to rain and they melted right then
and there. It was probably filmed in Vancouver.
I say he should stay and rust with the rest of us.
Aldina Porter
Delta
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I, like many other people in Vancouver, I'm sure, was hurt by
Duchovny's remarks about Vancouver. In fact, my immediate thought
was that he brings new meaning to the term "drowned rat."
Yes, we all know that Vancouver gets plenty of rain, but we have
many things to be grateful for, and proud of, regarding Vancouver.
I will never watch the X-Files again without a bit of anger
seething away at me -- if I ever watch it again.
Have a nice life in Los Angeles, Mr. Duchovny, and by the way, I
hope you don't lose your house to a brush fire, mudslide, or
earthquake.
Diane Hutchison
North Vancouver
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Get rid of the ungrateful bum. He is way too wussy for Vancouver.
The rain might muss his hair.
Lesley MacNeill
Vancouver
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Vancouver, that whiny, self-absorbed parochial pretender to the
mantle of "world-class city" status, is home to a newspaper which
sees comments on its weather by an American TV star as front-page
news. How hick. It does show, though, that The Province
understands well the mindset of the town it serves.
J. Neil Fawcett
Delta
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What a pity you have to degrade your newspaper to the category of
"Tabloid."
I'm sure there are more newsworthy items that warrant front- page
exposure. D(uh)chovny is certainly not an issue worth inking up
the press.
Leo Pearson
Delta
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I think David Duchovny is a good actor and I'm a huge X-Files fan
and have been since Day 1. But I think he is using his wife as an
excuse to leave Vancouver.
I love Vancouver and love this city for everything it has to
offer. The people, the scenery, the weather (yes, I even love the
rain), the different seasons -- everything.
I think the X-Files has a future, and where better than in the
most beautiful city in North America? If it has to go on without
David, then fine. I know a great lookalike who lives in Vancouver
and was born and raised here too.
As for the Conan O'Brien show, I only have one comment. As with
many Americans, I bet Mr. O'Brien doesn't even know what province
Vancouver is in. Need I say more?
Moira Penwill
North Vancouver
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I am a participant on the Internet bulletin board, alt.tv.x-files,
and it has discussed to death the rumored departure of David
Duchovny from the show. After the interview with Conan O'Brien, I
suppose we all know now, don't we?
Now I'll have to put up with the endless messages of the "ice-age
rain forest" and how awful it is to live in Vancouver.
Needless to say, I am extremely bitter about this two-faced
attitude that Duchovny has revealed. He should look back at his
career five years ago.
I think Duchovny or Chris Carter should apologize to this city, to
the Lower Mainland . . . and publicize it on the alt.tv.x-files
newsgroup.
Colleen Allen
Surrey
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I do not think that we should encourage the X-files star to leave
Vancouver. The show would not likely go on without him and the
amount of money this series brings to our local economy could not
easily be replaced.
It is also unfortunate that you are inflating this issue beyond
what is justified.
Jane Nemis
Vancouver
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I have never been an X-Files follower. I understand the show is
incredibly suspenseful and entertaining, but it's never held much
appeal for me.
Secondly, I've never found Mr. Duchovny had enough charisma to
draw me to watch the show. I've always found his demeanor to be
somewhat cold and smug.
In short, I don't find the man to be particularly likable, and
that in itself is probably the biggest factor behind my not being
a supporter of the show.
The recent comments made in reference to our city shouldn't be
taken too seriously. In summary, folks, just laugh it all off.
Better still, laugh him off. I'd take the rain over a windbag, any
day.
Helen Enair
Port Coquitlam
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It's a shame you wasted the front page on some sniveler who can't
handle the local weather. The Province must really be struggling
for newsworthy items.
John L. Weiss
White Rock
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If I had a choice between L.A. and Vancouver I'd be gone so fast
you would see my vapor trail! A beautiful wife and sunny weather?
Who can blame him?
George Ghattas
Vancouver
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Well, you know, it had to happen sooner or later. One of
the stars of the X-Files (my favorite show) had to snap and
start whining about Vancouver's weather.
It just happened to be David Duchovny. The thing that I do
not understand is how shocked about it Vancouverites seem to
be.
Every radio station DJ acted so surprised when reading the news,
like we've never heard this situation before.
Has everyone forgotten about the star of McGyver? Richard Dean
Anderson mouthed off about Vancouver's weather for a long time and
undoubtedly contributed to the show's demise.
Duchovny's comments are nothing new here and we don't need radio
personalities like Neil "The Mouth" Macrae getting defensive and
taking things too far by spewing verbal abuse at Duchovny and his
wife.
Come on, Vancouver, get a life! We should all realize that sooner
or later the weather is probably going to cause the next big
production to move on. We've seen it before and we'll see it
again. We'd better get used to it; the weather sure isn't going to
change!
Roger Jamieson
Vancouver
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If it wasn't for the jobs that exist because of the production of
X-Files in Vancouver, I'd say, "Let him go!" I think he's getting
a little pathetic. Give me rain over an earthquake, any day!
Rachel Sledding
New Westminster
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I think David Duchovny and all the rest of them should be exiled
from Vancouver! If they don't want to be here and hate it that
much, then go.
I saw David last summer at the Century Grill downtown, asked him
politely for his autograph, and told him I admired his work.
He gave me a dirty look, signed the paper in his hand, never said
a word, not even "Thanks," handed it back to me and turned away.
So much for fan loyalty.
Sheri Wilson
Surrey